dish

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'dish' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to a type of plate for serving food. For example, "These colorful dishes make a beautiful addition to the table setting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Meanwhile, toast the muffin halves (it definitely helps to put your breakfasting companion to work here – that way they can assemble the rest of the dish while you stand guard whisking the hollandaise) and poach the eggs.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The chef sets up a stall in the middle of the Campo and the genial Carlo and Davide serve up heaped plates of the dish of the day, which could be a delicious fritto misto, wild mushroom risotto or tasty goulash, priced at €7-10 with a glass of wine included.

The Guardian - Travel

A crowd gathers at the bar at midday when the chef sends out plates of the dish of the day that are quickly snapped up, not surprising when the cost is €6.

The Guardian - Travel

The VGE stands for Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, who was president of France when Bocuse created the dish in 1975.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It's already booked months in advance with critics falling over themselves to dish out the plaudits.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But I did leave it out, thinking it too weird and personal a dish to include, and I regretted it the moment the book was published.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The dish is not recommended for those watching their waistlines.

The Guardian

Instead of relying on animal tests, the new research involved creating human cells in a laboratory dish.

The Guardian

This dish is also delicious with chopped streaky bacon – but then most things can be improved with bacon!

The Guardian - Lifestyle

After a starter of cold duck's blood in a soup dish topped with golden, crisp fried shallots, we were served a huge platter of roasted carcass, and encouraged to toss the bones over our shoulders for the stray dogs to chew on.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A particularly tasty dish – a cordon bleu irony, an irony worthy of a rating from Michelin – is produced by the important contest to be the next leader of the scunnered Scottish Labour party.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a "dish", be specific about its ingredients, preparation method, and cultural origin to provide a clear and vivid picture for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "dish" as a verb when a more precise action word is available. For example, instead of saying "They dished the dirt", consider "They spread the gossip".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "dish" is as a noun, referring to a vessel for serving food or a specific preparation of food. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33.87%

Lifestyle

29.03%

Travel

12.9%

Less common in

Music

3.23%

Opinion

3.23%

Sport

1.61%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "dish" functions primarily as a noun, commonly referring to either a type of food preparation or a vessel for serving food. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is a correct and frequently used term in written English. Analysis of its usage across diverse sources, including News & Media, Lifestyle, and Travel contexts, reveals a neutral register. When describing or writing about food, use "dish" with specificity regarding ingredients, preparation, and cultural origin. Avoid misusing "dish" as a verb when a more precise action word is available.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

food item

Focuses on the specific food being served, rather than the container or the broader meal.

cuisine

Refers to a style or method of cooking, often associated with a particular region or culture.

course

Emphasizes the order of the dish within a meal (e.g., main course, appetizer).

plate

Highlights the serving vessel itself, as opposed to the food.

recipe

Focuses on the instructions for preparing a specific dish.

meal

Refers to the entire dining experience, of which the dish is a part.

reception

Emphasizes the social aspect of enjoying the dish.

bowl

Highlights the container for certain types of dishes, like soups or stews.

antenna

This refers to dish as a communications term for satellite.

gossip

This refers to the other use of dish meaning to talk about someone.

FAQs

How can I use "dish" in a sentence?

You can use "dish" to refer to a specific food item, like "This restaurant serves a delicious vegetarian dish". It can also refer to a plate, as in "She placed the food on the dish".

What's the difference between a "dish" and a "plate"?

While often used interchangeably, "dish" can refer to a specific food item prepared for a meal. Plate refers to a serving item, like "She used a silver plate to serve the dish".

Which is correct, "favorite dish" or "favourite dish"?

"Favorite dish" and "favourite dish" are both correct. "Favorite" is used in American English, while "favourite" is used in British English.

What is the meaning of "dish" when used as a verb?

When used as a verb, "dish" can mean to serve food, as in "They dished out the soup". It can also mean to spread gossip, as in "She dished all the details about her friend's life".